The Physician Assistant master's degree program takes pride in developing leaders who inspire, empower and influence positive change. The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to provide educational experiences which prepare physician assistant graduates to enhance access to primary medical care, with a hope to increase care for the citizens of rural and medically-underserved Eastern North Carolina and beyond. We seek to achieve this mission in an educational community where faculty, staff, clinical instructors, students, and other health care providers work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation, compassion, and commitment.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Department of Physician Assistant Studies sponsored by East Carolina University.